About
INTERESTED IN TREES? ENJOY TEACHING KIDS? – Join the 32nd Annual 4-HN Master Tree Stewards Program
The 4-H Master Tree Steward Program is an enjoyable, educational program for adults. The classes teach about the nature and life of trees. You will learn how trees grow; how to identify them; about their importance to our environment; and fun ways to share this knowledge with children. Homework is easy reading and a simple in class presentation. There are no exams or quizzes. Once trained, you will present a one-hour program to groups of interested and attentive 4th grade students.
Your commitment is SHORT term, but its importance and impact is LONG term
Classes will meet every Wednesday from September 4th to December 4th, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Except for any holidays that fall on those days). Field trips are included in the program. Perfect attendance is desired, but up to three absences can be made up. (A schedule of classes is attached.) Transportation to field trips is provided; 15 passenger van.
Once training is finished, you will receive a teaching kit. It contains posters and tree cones, seeds etc. With these supplies you will teach a one hour program to fourth graders in Union County. The teaching is from 12:30 to 1:30 (approximately) on Wednesday afternoons, from January to early June 2025. You do not have to teach on every Wednesday just on 6 of them. Also, you may pick the Wednesdays you prefer. Schools will be solicited through the 4-H office and a teaching schedule calendar will be developed according to the availability of each Master Tree Steward.
Convenient, accessible, safe locations for classes
The majority of classes are outdoor field trips. Only the 1st class will be indoors at the Colleen Fraser Building, 300 North Ave., East, Westfield, NJ 07090. For field trips we will meet in the classroom on 2nd floor.
It’s easy to apply for the Program
Just complete the attached application and return with your check; $25.00. It can be made out to the Union County 4-H Association. Please mail to James Nichnadowicz, 151 Grant St., Berkley Heights, NJ 07922. For more information, call 4-H Agent James Nichnadowicz at 908-654-9854 ext.3, or E-mail him at nichnadowicz@njaes.rutgers.edu.
**The Master Tree Steward Program – Winner of a Green Community Achievement Award; presented by the New Jersey Forest Service for an outstanding educational program in the area of community forestry.
Schedule
| DATE | TIME** | TOPIC |
| 9/4 | 10 a.m. – noon | Looking at Leaves – Learn basics of tree identification and preview the teaching portion of class. Meet alumni Tree Stewards. |
| 9/11 | 10:00am – 2:00 p.m. | Field Trip to Cheesequake State Park (Matawan, NJ 07747) –View a White Cedar swamp and see large White Oaks and Pines. Meet at visitors’ lot. This is right before the guard house on the road. |
| 9/18 | 10:00am – 2:00 p.m. | Field Trip to Rutgers Gardens, New Brunswick, NJ – Rutgers Gardens School of Environmental and Biological Sciences Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey 112 Ryders Lane New Brunswick, NJ 08901, Meet at log cabin parking lot in garden |
| 9/25 | 11:30 to 3:45 | Field Trip Colonial Gardens and Hutchinson Forest, Somerset, NJ … See one of the last old growth forests in New Jersey. Bring your lunch, we can eat at Colonial Park and see arboretum. (Colonial Gardens. lunch, arboretum. 1:30 to 3:00 tour of Hutchinson.) |
| 10/9 | 10:00 am – 2:00pm | Field Trip to Hacklebarney State Park – See American Beech, Black Ash, Shadbush, Black & Yellow Birch, and more. Hacklebarney State Park, 119 Hacklebarney Rd, Long Valley. Tel: 908-638-6969. Meet at Ranger Station at end of parking lot. |
| 10/16 | 10 am– 2:00pm | Field Trip to Forest Resource Center – See a timber mill, view a sugar shack, learn how tree seedlings are grown, and view the trees of the Pine Barrens. Center is at 370 East Veterans Hwy, Jackson. Tel: 732-928-2360. Bring lunch and be prepared for fun. Trip lead by Rick Duco, Forestry Department |
| 10/23 | 10 am to 1 p.m. | Field Trip to Oak Ridge Park, Clark, NJ. View mature species of native trees and recently planted ones. Discussion about tree planting and participate in planting a tree. |
| 10/30 | 10 am to 2 pm | Holly Forest – Sandy Hook – see two hundred year old holly trees |
| 11/6 | 10a.m. to 1 p.m. | Field Trip to Great Swamp (Chatham Nj) Meet at Morris County Environmental Education Center on Southern Boulevard. |
| 11/13 | 11:30am – 1:30pm | Field Trip to Grammar School in Union County – exact location TBD – Observe the Master Tree Steward teaching process with school children. Meet at 4-H Office, 300 North Avenue E, Westfield. |
| 11/20 | Noon to 2 p.m. | Practice Teach/Presentations |
| 11/27 | Noon – 2 pm | Thanksgiving Break.. no class |
| 12/4 | Noon – 2:00pm | Master Tree Steward Graduation Party & school sign-up |